I have done research on Swift (5.37), Getz (5.5), Indica, Palio, Corsa Sail, and Fusion (7.5 Laks). Swift & Getz are the best product in Premium Hatchback Segment as of now. After taking test drive with Getz & Swift, I decide to go for SWIFT. As I prefer safety first then ride comfort. Fine, getz is bigger and smooth but swift is peppy and good for city drive due to short turning radius (4.7 M). Getz is 4.9 M. BUT, If you can wait another six – eight month for Chevy Aveo, Fiat Panda and Honda Jazz then buying Swift is not good idea. Though, I cant wait so long and booked swift ZXI :-) instead of 10K price Hike. But, delivery of swift get extended to 4-6 month :-( after that and dealer dint update us about that.
This is not fair from Maruti. How the hell they can increase price in a week time? Another shameful act – All Finance co. who got tie-up with Maruti got instructions to ask interest rate 9.75, which is the highest in this class. All leading six banks are charging this much for car loan. Very well executed marketing plan, Oh dear! In one hand they said swift is lower priced but on the other hand it makes a dent in your pocket. Gr8 Swadesi :-) Anyway, lets read how much they are fair with us -
Swift for india -
Removed for India which is standard equipment in Swift (Europe) –1.5 M series Engine (they gave 1.3 L refined esteem engine which is at par to Getz engine in performance & even better in pickup and mileage), Side Curtains, CD Player, switch on steering, Tilt Steering, 60:40 split rear seats, etc.
So, they have churn out good things, perhaps for re-entry later. Now read, what you will get for your money -
In all variant, better to go with Zxi as you get exclusive features (14” Alloy wheels, Climate Control AC, Keyless entry for all Doors, Rear window wiper & Demister, Dual Front Airbags, Driver seat Height Adjustment (Best Safety Features in 5 Laks)
Very Appealing Looks. Though, VXI and ZXI got A-B pillar in black, LXI has same body color. Those black spot ruined the beauty of swift. The sporty (MUL have deleted Spoiler - Front underbody and Side underbody in IND version, check MGA accessories) design din’t likes by orthodox Indian ppl and they are calling it froggy :-) . Also Sports magazines are saying MUL is not practical and rear seat room not airy and blah blah. Anyway, I find it big, macho and different from others. Body Colors are nicely chosen by MUL (Red, Crystal gold, Silky Silver, Garnet Orange are HOT).
Front Seats are Roomy, I am 5’8” and I find myself very much comfortable in front seat after adjusting seat accordingly me. Went to rear seat with the same front seat position and my legs was not touching the front seat. 6 Feet tall family won’t prefer SWIFT. Getz is for you folks. Ride quality in Back seat is not very much comfortable compare to getz but its ok for long drive. Headrest is nice move to have in vxi/zxi. Getting in and out is not good as Wagon-R. Door opening angle need to be wider.
Best Safety features? Now no more “Tin ka DABBA” product - Dual Front Airbags, ABS with EBD, EPS, Impact beams, Collapsible Steering, Keyless entry( all this, First time in Maruti). But, why on the earth they dint gave Body Side Moulding ?
Sporty Dial with Orange backlit. Automatic climate control AC which works fine in Noon time ( Atleast in Pune, June month) Cockpit is cool but plastic quality is not Excellent (MUL claims it to be on Premium Hatchback category, HUH ! ). Only ZXI variant gives a OK feeling. I saw LXI and ....No comments. Thank God I saw ZXI model first else I never ever gave a thought to buy swift. In Europe Swift’s target was A segment but in India ? Increase the price by 25K and give us all those missing in Swift, I bet ppl will buy that model also. Getz ppl are you hearing this? You need to decrease the price...dont ever thought to increase the price.
Tuned suspension, Alloy Wheels, JP Vectra Tubeless Tyre 14” gives excellent Road Grip and agility to Cornering. In Test Ride, Driver was so confident that he was turning car in 60-80 speed with sand on Road. It was unbelievable for me.... God knows it was bcos of Swift or his driving capabilities. I took the test ride with getz on the same road and it was 40-60 while cornering. But smooth ride in back seat(Getz).
Engine noise is very Low and you can hear Tyre roar easily (wont distrub you ). Acceleration is good and swift agility is excellent. In third gear you can touch 100 KMh speed and no roar from engine or vibrations. It gives you feel to drive fast and you feel safe. Friends drive fast only in highways, not in city.
(EPS) Electronic Steering is smooth in city drive & tight on speeding. This is good thing, Folks. Many ppl in india think that its not a good thing :-) Still we have to be literate abt modern technologies.
Downside –
Not cozy in back seat. Thanks to our Indian Engineers who designed this seat. It don’t have proper thigh support. Cushioning is not excellent/good, just OK. No 60:40 ratio folding...nor you can’t fold it straight so that u can use it as bed or put big luggage. Just one fold and you will get a big uneven surface. MUL need to improve on it. European model had everything they had give this. ITs Unfair :-(
Don’t have good height in back, and boot is very small.
Dashboard doesn’t have all international luxury. I dont know why ppl are saying that plastic & Interiors are cheap, DULL blah blahh... ITs OK, and don’t forget that Maruti target is “Middle class Indian Family”. Also, this car will run on dirty indian roads....not like metros citys. So this dull interior fits very well. Though, I dint like it...but if you think positive you will get the answer.
I am wondering why Swift techs specification doesn’t mention about clutch Lock, fuel cut sensor etc features. Do we have these in Indian version or MUL has deleted them also. If YES, then its really BAD thing. As the price is equal to Europe model 15K CHF (in swtz). I can compromise with engine (instead of M13A, we got refined esteem engine) but not on Safety Standards. Hope I need not to cancel the booking & think abt Getz as it have these features in IND version.
Maruti Dealers are on AIR.... The responses they are getting make them arrogant. Even they are not giving exact date for delivery. Perhaps Swift has become headache :-) they are not able to handle the pressure. Dont expect a single rupee discount or basic accessories from any dealer. Probably, on delivery time I have to carry petrol along with me. Anyway, time is with them...after six month they will come down to earth when ZAZZ , SPARK & PANDA will rock the Indian roads.
:- Well, after TWO month waiting, finally I cancel the booking of swift. As it was not sure when I will get the car - dec or jan ’06. so now I dont belog to ’’you are FUEL (FOOL) category... This is good product, but not worth to wait six-eight month. Many ppl are going for other product and I am one of them(Got Tata Indigo GSX, read my review on it). Also, I got the report that its avg is on lower side (8km) and spare parts are not available. Dealers are cheating ppl by asking adv money and then keeping them on hold. Anyway decision is in yr hand...I got my new Indigo GSX and very much happy with this tuned car.
--- Please rate and comment this review also. Thanks Folks!